Emu ESI-32 conundrum

[kvmoore]

I bought my ESI2000 sampler back in 2000 when it first came out when I was a broke college student. At the time, it helped me alot because for the first time, I was no longer limited to the sounds I had in my preset rompler based sound sources. I could use "ANY" sound I wanted, which means I could use my own TR808 samples and other drum samples.

Yes, it was a pain in the butt and I couldn't afford SCSI zip, CD rom, and all of that. Therefore, I was stuck using 3.5 diskettes to save my banks and load them in one disk at a time. Yes, it took a while. Good times, hahaha!!!! Later, I download a program called "ESI Win" that allowed me to convert wav. samples to ESI format samples to load them into the ESI2000. It was a tedious process but it worked well. I would use a diskette to convert the sample from .wav to ESI and load it directly into the machine from the floppy (no SCSI required).

After I upgraded, the ESI sat for a while unused. I tried to sell it on ebay one while but I couldn't get much for it. Therefore, I decided to keep it. Later on by 2006, I had a SCSI zip that I hooked up to the ESI and started using it again. The time it took to save and load samples using the SCSI zip vs. floppy diskettes was night and day!!!!!!! After that short period, I ended up getting another MPC (my second one) and setting the ESI aside again.

Anyway. after upgrading to better samplers (MPC, E4, etc...) and the ESI is now collecting dust. I don't know when of if I'll ever use it again but if I do, it'll be there on standby.

BTW, the E4 Ultra series is really, really nice!!!!!!! I highly recommend it.

[Rob Ocelot]

I still have my $100 ESI4000 that I modded to take a compact flash card.

Internal SCSI bus --> SCSI to IDE converter (self terminating) --> IDE to CF converter

The beauty of this setup is that it's all powered by the internal supply, retains the original external SCSI connections, and keeps the original floppy drive functionality as well. I did this about 5 years ago but I'm sure there's far more elegant solutions now, like a floppy drive emulator that uses SD cards like the HxC.

Are the ESI's limited by today's standards?

Yes.

But sometimes.... just sometimes having access to so many options is a creative killjoy. The ESI is perfect for quick and dirty multisamples of my favorites mono/preset synths like the ARP ProSoloist. Polyphonic ARP==win without having to pay Quadra or Chroma prices :-)

[steinvegardstavi]

I bought the E4 Platinum in 2001,

I started using it again two years ago because I needed to do some "out of the DAW"-work. And besides I love the sound of the E4. No software sampler I have compares on that. And old stuff stimulate creativity as well.

I have a problem though. I think the E-MU samplers can read wav files of a CD, but I have no idea how to burn a CD that EOS can read. Is there any way to do this? Besides the EOS CD`z I own I want to import my own waveforms.

EOS is able to import AKAI. So if I had some program that could write AKAI format, the would do it.

It`s been a year or so without using it. I know this is laziness. I should read the manual and so, but I have no idea where I put it the last time I used it :(

[kvmoore]

Originally Posted by steinvegardstavi

I bought the E4 Platinum in 2001,

I started using it again two years ago because I needed to do some "out of the DAW"-work. And besides I love the sound of the E4. No software sampler I have compares on that. And old stuff stimulate creativity as well.

I have a problem though. I think the E-MU samplers can read wav files of a CD, but I have no idea how to burn a CD that EOS can read. Is there any way to do this? Besides the EOS CD`z I own I want to import my own waveforms.

EOS is able to import AKAI. So if I had some program that could write AKAI format, the would do it.

It`s been a year or so without using it. I know this is laziness. I should read the manual and so, but I have no idea where I put it the last time I used it :(

The only way to do this that I can think of is through the use of a program by Chickensystems called "Translator." It will let you create preprietary format disk images such as Akai and EMU. You can then take the disk image and use a program like Nero to burn the CD. I think there's a downloadable free version of Translator available too.

[steinvegardstavi]

Thank you! I will try it out.

I might also add that I looked into using a IDE->Memory Card adapter to replace the internal HD. It would be great if that worked out.

[kvmoore]

Originally Posted by steinvegardstavi

Thank you! I will try it out.

I might also add that I looked into using a IDE->Memory Card adapter to replace the internal HD. It would be great if that worked out.

You're welcome.

If you could get the memory card adapter working, that would be wonderful. My internal HD in my E4 Ultra went out on me and I removed it. I haven't replaced it yet. However, the memory card adapter would be a great alternative if it works.

Please keep us posted on what you find out.